Tar Rat Plans:
Please excuse the quality of the scanned pages. I have not had time to draft them. The plans to this robot are the intellectual property of Ken Boone kenboone@aol.com and can not be duplicated, published or copied to another web page. You can link this page to your web page or document. You can use the plans to make a TAR Rat for personal use or you can use the plans to make robots in schools, clubs, and scout troops. I am in the process of updating the plans with currently available parts. Keep checking this page for updates.
I am trying to locate another source for the motors. They are no longer available from H & R.
Use Radio Shack part number 270-1803 for the control box.
Scanned pages of the last version of the TAR Rat.
TAR RAT LESSON PLAN
This lesson plan was used for 6 one hour classes with guifted elementry school students.
DAY
1 EDUCATIONAL LESSON:
Discuss differences in robots.
Machine (barking dog)
Remote control (tele-operated)
Programmable (real robot)
Give homework: (Measure and draw your room. Lay on bed and measure where
your head is).
ASSEMBLY TASKS:
Nail base and axle assembly
Attach Wheels.
Press in tacks with vise.
2 EDUCATIONAL LESSON:
Discuss:
Dimensioned drawings.
Laying out holes.
Center punch.
Drilling.
Reaming.
ASSEMBLY TASKS:
Put tape on control box cover.
Layout hole centers.
Center punch.
Drill holes.
Ream out holes.
Mount switches.
3 EDUCATIONAL LESSON:
Discuss:
Measuring wire.
Cutting wire.
Stripping wire.
Tinning wire.
Mechanical wire joints.
ASSEMBLY TASKS:
Cut 6 solid wire jumpers.
Strip wire.
Strip ends of ribbon cable.
Mechanically attach solid wire jumpers to switches.
Tin stranded ribbon cable. (If there is extra time)
4 EDUCATIONAL LESSON:
Discuss:
Solder.
Soldering.
Solder Safety.
Filing.
ASSEMBLY TASKS:
Solder ribbon cable to switches.
Hot glue ribbon cable to base.
File strain relief in switch box. (If there is extra time.)
5 EDUCATIONAL LESSON:
Discuss:
Making pilot holes for screws.
Electrical short-circuits.
Test robots.
Contests.
Demonstrate that different diameter wheels go different
speeds but robot goes the same speed.
ASSEMBLY TASKS:
Attach battery holder.
Attach motors.
Solder battery holder and motor to wires.
6 Contest 1:
Tar Rat Robots are timed for how long it takes to through a maze
with 12 inch wide passages.
Contest 2:
Golf ball race. At the same time all of the robots push their own
golf ball across the room. First one across the room wins. There
can be nothing in front of the robot to help hold the golf ball.
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The information in this web page is the intellectual property of Kenneth Ray Boone. Do not copy or use any of the contents without the permission of Kenneth Ray Boone. Please do not copy this page. It is under construction and copies can not be corrected. If you like the page send me a message to let me know, add links to this page in your web site and give the address to other hobbyist. Thank you for visiting. Ken Boone's Home Page mailto Ken Boone: Home: kenboone@aol.comLast modified 2/15/01
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